The Japanese carrier will support the development of local communities in Nagasaki with the most efficient and sustainable regional aircraft

Toulouse, December 16, 2022 – ORC (Oriental Air Bridge), Japanese regional airline, today took delivery of its first ATR 42-600 covered by an ATR Global Maintenance Agreement contract (GMA). The aircraft, delivered in Toulouse was ordered in July and carries the brand-new ORC livery. ORC will plan to start operating the ATR aircraft in July 2023 to further support the airline’s domestic activities in providing reliable essential connectivity from Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu in Japan. The ATR 42-600 is configured with a 48-seat cabin and equipped with the latest avionics.

With the signing of an ATR GMA contract, ORC will also take full advantage of manufacturer expertise to support its ATR aircraft in service, thereby reducing maintenance costs while boosting operations.

Mr. Tanaka, Senior Managing Director from ORC, says “We are pleased to start operating our ATR 42-600 aircraft soon. With the unrivalled versatility and sustainable performance of ATR aircraft, this delivery represents a step forward for us to better serve our higher purpose of providing air link to revitalise the remote islands around Nagasaki Prefecture, in the most responsible way. We will also be able to offer our passengers the highest standards of comfort and modernity, while ensuring cost effectiveness through our ATR Global Maintenance Agreement. We look forward to welcoming passengers on our flights to visit the remote island of Nagasaki where some beautiful world heritages are located.”

ATR Chief Executive Officer, Nathalie Tarnaud Laude, comments “Air transport is crucial for Japan, where air routes are essential for domestic travel and transportation. As such, ORC is boosting local economy every day by offering vital links for local communities from Nagasaki and surrounded islands. At ATR, we are pleased to count ORC as one of our new customers and to contribute to support their mission in providing them with the most affordable and responsible aircraft in the market. The support we will be able to provide through the ATR Global Maintenance Agreement will also ensure the most reliable and efficient services for their fleet.”

In countries committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and preserving biodiversity such as Japan, ATR aircraft represent the perfect solution: they connect communities and businesses across the archipelago in the most responsible way. There are currently 15 ATR aircraft flying across the country. Over the next ten years, ATR foresees a demand of 100 regional aircraft in Japan. Most of these will replace older, less efficient models, and will connect islands and remote regions with the country’s major cities.

Release and photo ATR